The USDA has reported negotiated sales of over 175,000 head for Wednesday afternoon (September 11) in the five major trading areas alone. In response to this activity, feeder cattle sales turned slightly higher late in the week, taking back the slight losses of Monday and Tuesday.

Steer and heifer calf prices were very uneven across the nation, but the particular erratic trends were specific to area. South-eastern calf markets were up to $3.00 lower, as sharply higher receipts flooded the market following the previous week’s price advances. However, demand remains very good, but not nearly good enough to fade the 45% increase in receipts over the previous week. Stocker cattle in and around Oklahoma sold steady to slightly higher, as backgrounders are excited about early wheat pasture grazing. The mixed calf market continued into the mountain states, where prices were steady to $2.00 lower on heavy receipts, and up in the Northern Plains as ranch calves sold $1.00-$3.00 higher and most salebarns returned to selling calves by-the-pound instead of by-the-head as they did all summer.

Generally, direct feeder trading was much slower than the previous week, but demand was improved for contracting calves for October and November delivery. This week’s trading was expected to be 'very active' as the cattle futures market ended the week on a higher note and grain markets suffered stiff losses.

The attitudes of livestock industry members are slowly starting to shift back to the positive side after coming through this past summer of drought and slow markets. Some of the driest areas of Colorado and western Kansas received much-needed rain lastweek, and the industry approaches the fall with its head held high.

This week’s reported auction volume included just 36% over 600 lbs and 43% heifers. (Note: Prices are expressed as weighted averages, where available).

For the latest US hide and skins export statistics, go to the relevant section on the Leatherbiz.com homepage.

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